Try being willing

Over the last week, I’ve heard so many people complain about the new traffic plan in Port-of-Spain. Sometimes I wonder if as Trinidadians, if we ever give anything a chance. We’re always quick to react and negatively at that. We’ve become such non-believers that every idea or plan is automatically deemed a failure before it even kicks off. It’s quite sickening. Somehow, as someone who is in and around Port-of-Spain and Woodbrook all day, I believe it’s going to work. And I’ve said this to many people. Who tell me say dat? I clearly don’t know what I am talking about. “School closed, dat is why it running smooth now. But wait till it reopen!” one person said. Does traffic really die down when school closes for the holidays? That is something I never understood. So what, all parents do not work and their children are home for the holidays, they are at home with them. So fewer cars on the road because there is no school run? I highly doubt it. So for those parents who are working, where are their kids going? By Grannie? Unless she’s living downstairs, don’t you have to drop your kids off at Grandma’s. What about camp? Kids go to camp during the holidays. They aren’t getting there by stargate. So to me, there is no reason why the traffic should decrease. But I digress. You see the people who live on this twin island Republic called T&T (and by people, I mean we eh!) we usually have nothing good to say about, well, anything. And yes I know, you not so. But many are.  I try not to be. Even in the most trying of scenarios. I guess I want to be the girl (like ah feel ah young!) who smiles no matter what.  Who loves Trinidad no matter what. Because let’s face it, we can leave and find a new home. Move to a new city and learns its language, culture and way of life. Learn to cook  its delicacies and celebrate its holidays. The fact remains, if we stub our toe or we’re treated unfairly, we still let go ah but what de mu….right?

To me that means we will always be Trini. That when we let go of our airs and grace and our hopes and dreams of something better, our core is still Trini. And when we get to these new places and settle in, the things that make us stand out are the things that make us Trini. Our extroversion. Our ability to buss ah lime anywhere. The way we hail out someone loud, loud, loud in the street.  These things don’t change – regardless of where we go. Well at least it didn’t change for me.  I never felt the need to change my Trininess. My accent. My loudness. My ability to stand up and start talking to anyone in de line at the coffee shop or the grocery. Maybe it’s a me thing. Not sure. Fact remains, we need to start being willing. Why we always shooting down an idea or plan as soon as it is brought up? Because we’re psychic and we know what is going to happen right? The amount of psychics we have in Trinidad, it is unbelievable. And they should all be millionaires, because if I had that talent, trust me, I would be cashing een on that big time. Not using my talent to just bash ideas that I know will end in tears. Like in relationships, if you knew how every potential first date was going to turn out five years down the line, it would definitely assist you in making better choices right? How is it that many people who sound of on issues, such as the traffic plan, without giving it a fair chance, are single, not happy with their job, life, body shape and more? We need to start giving the country ah chance man. Sure plenty things wrong. Plenty things wrong with me too. And you. Doesn’t mean that everyone in your life has the right to walk around and bad talk you or just list your faults. I believe in intrinsic motivation and it is clearly something that we as Trinidadians do not possess. Okay not all of us, but a lot of us. Doing something for the pleasure in it, not the gains or the rewards. So I’m going to continue loving T&T and heralding my return because it gives me pleasure knowing I am home. And sure our faults as a nation and as a people can act as a major deterrent, but I will continue to turn a blind eye to it all and live in hope that one day, we can all just be more willing to try and be better.